Time investments and questions raised by atrial fibrillation patients following a personalized educational follow-up strategy

Abstract

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) has a complex treatment strategy. As stated in the recent guidelines for AF management, AF management requires a holistic and multidisciplinary approach in which a personalized follow-up strategy is important to involve patients in their care. This also includes the need for an improved communication method in which patients can contact the healthcare team between in-hospital follow-up moments to easily ask questions with a low threshold. Purpose: Two personalized follow-up methods for AF management (in-person and online) are currently being studied in a prospective, randomized controlled trial. The aim of this subanalysis is to evaluate time investment to answer patients' questions. Methods: At three Belgian hospitals, a total of 1.038 AF patients were randomized to two groups with personalized education and follow-up, and a control group. The educational intervention focuses on four elements: improving patients' AF knowledge, improving OAC therapy adherence, encouraging self-care capabilities based on personal AF risk factors, and the reachability of an AF specialized team. Patients in the in-person group were followed personally at the hospital at regular time points, while the patients in the online group received education via an online platform. During the whole follow-up period, patients of both intervention groups could ask questions via e-mail or by phone contact. Results: A total of 628 questions were raised by 275 patients (137 in